OK, I apologize for the lack of action in the last chapter. I needed to set a few things up.

I hope things will pick up again now…

Spoilers: None. It's its own universe, I blame it all on the gin

Rating: Could be anywhere from PG13 to R. Who knows anymore?

Disclaimer: I wish I were making some money on this, but unlike JE, I don't own the characters

Out of my Mind Chapter 16

"Hey!" The woman yelled and took a step back, effectively making me stumble into the office.

"Check out Rangerette with the fine body art!"

She was taking in my scratched and bruised persona. I thought I looked much better than the day before.

"Lula, this is Lindsay. She just started the other day." Connie said from behind her desk.

"Lula is one of our BEA's, among other things," she explained.

Lula was a lot of other things! She was a few inches taller than me, with the heels even more, and she had about 100 pounds on me. Her lipstick matched her nails in its pink brightness, I noticed as she stuck out her hand to shake mine.

"Says here she works for RangeMan." Lula said, pointing to the embroidery on my shirt.

"I'm just borrowing their clothes." I said, but that didn't come out right.

"Hunh." Lula said.

"I've had some bad luck. All my own clothes burned." I felt the need to explain further. Lula nodded at this and looked at Connie. I couldn't see her expression, but Connie smiled.

"Ranger said there was a fire in your motel room?" She asked.

"Yes," I replied "And unfortunately all the files you gave me were in it, too. I was hoping you could make me another copy?"

I stepped closer to Connie's desk.

"You tryin' to sneak into my territory?" Lula challenged. I could tell her background as a hooker had left her with some territorial angst, so I felt it necessary to defuse the situation.

"I figure there'd be enough skips for both of us."

"Will you be working with Ranger?" Connie asked, and Lula's eyes narrowed.

"I don't think so…not at this point. I work better alone." Since then no one would be around to witness my incompetence, I figured, but I didn't need to share that part.

Connie searched through a filing cabinet and came out with three files. She opened them, took out some papers and handed me the folders.

"Here they are. I think that's all I gave you. No one over $1000."

I thanked her and turned back to Lula.

"What are you off to?"

Lula looked at me as if she was trying to assess me. I could appreciate the feeling, she had never seen me before.

"I guess if Ranger lends you his clothes you can't be all bad…" She said slowly, and Connie sighed behind me.

"I wouldn't mind wearing his clothes…" She said slowly.

"I wouldn't mind him taking his clothes off!" Lula countered, and we all smiled at that.

"Well, I best be going. I got a date with this chicken here." And she lifted the bucket for emphasis.

I got an idea. "Hey would you like to have breakfast with me tomorrow? My treat. I could use some tips on the area."

Lula considered that for a moment, and I realized, while she wouldn't be a good poker player, she could be trusted. Her emotions were displayed on her face for everyone to read.

"Sure, I could do breakfast," she said "Wanna meet me here at ten?"

I agreed, and Lula sauntered out the door.

"How long has Lula been working here?" I asked Connie. Some things didn't add up for me. If Ranger was right and Stephanie hadn't been a bounty hunter, how did Lula end up here?

"A few years." Connie said, sorting folders on her desk "She started out doing the filing, but then we had more skips than we could handle, and she took over a few easy ones."

Okay, I wasn't interested in that part, so I tried again.

"She dresses a little…unusual."

Connie snorted, "Yeah, you could say that. It's on account of she used to be a working girl before she came here. A pervert sliced up her friend one night, and Lula was the one to find the body. She had an epiphany or something and decided to turn her life around. She answered an ad I put in the paper."

I wondered if that pervert had still been Benito Ramirez, but I could ask Lula about that.

There were also some questions I wanted to ask about Stephanie, but I decided to wait with those.

"Let me give you my cell phone number, in case you need to get in touch with me." I suggested and wrote my number down on a steno pad next to the phone.

Connie looked at my belt.

"You're not gonna need all that hardware for the low bonds you're after, you know."

I nodded.

"I know, but the last time I thought that, the guy I found was dead. Can't be too protected."

Unh, mental head slap. I had quoted Ranger.

"I guess that's true…" Connie said.

I thought I had accomplished what I needed and said my goodbyes.

It was three in the afternoon, I had my files as instructed and stood on the sidewalk in front of the office, thinking about my next move.

I decided to think it over with coffee, so I strolled into the little diner a few doors down, ordered coffee and pie, and started reading the files I was supposed to be interested in.

If I were to find any of them and brought them in, I could start using my own money again, I reasoned. Paying Ranger back what he had loaned me was top priority on my list. I still didn't know why he had been so weird in my apartment, but I didn't want to owe him money. It was bad enough I was driving his car and lived in one of his places.

In reality, I was more hurt than anything by Ranger's latest behavior. I didn't know why he had changed and didn't like the professional tone.

I had read and prioritized the files. Tomorrow morning after breakfast with Lula, I'd give them a try.

That left me with the rest of the day and all of the night without plans. 'Go out, be seen' Ranger had said. Go out where, I asked myself. I didn't mind being alone in my living room, but being alone in public always bored me.

Well, I didn't have to be alone, I decided.

Fuck pride, I was going to call Morelli. Who knew, maybe he was dying to hear from me?

Probably sick with guilt because he wasn't around when I had almost burnt to a cinder.

While that was highly unlikely, it was all the persuading my nerves needed and I flipped the phone open and dialed his number before I'd get a chance to change my mind.

"Morelli!" Unh, he sounded stressed and annoyed. I took a deep breath.

"Hi, it's…Lindsay" I was getting better; my new name came out without stutter and just the smallest hesitation.

"Hey!" Morelli said, "Long time no see. How're you doing?"

Not exactly the greeting I had been hoping for, but not as bad as 'go to hell' either.

I pushed myself on so I wouldn't run out of courage before I'd get to ask him.

"I was wondering if you'd be free for dinner tonight?" I closed my eyes in anticipation of his answer. This was exactly the reason I never asked guys out, I had this mega fear of being rejected.

"I don't know, I'm not sure how late I'll be working…" He said.

"Okay." I said. Well, I had tried. "Maybe some other time." I was trying to sound all chipper, but it was hard to keep the disappointment out of my voice.

"I dunno, it's too early to tell yet. Can I give you a call back in a little bit?"

"Sure" I said "Talk to you later." And I disconnected.

I know it was silly, and I did feel about 12 years old, but I had an urge to cry.

Maybe I should rethink my decision to not drive off into the sunset after all.

I finished my pie and gathered up my things.

Then I went to the deli close to the office and bought a bag of candy bars and a tub of ice cream, my mood called for comfort food.

I got back into my car and drove off. I remembered passing a beer store on my way earlier, and that's where I stopped to get a case of Yuengling. I was going to have a pity party of mega proportions!

The parking spot in front of the apartment building I had earlier was taken when I returned, I had to drive another block to park my car. When I got to my front door, I was huffing with the effort of carrying the case, but it felt good to be focusing my frustration on other things than two particularly hot men.

The tiny, all but invisible LED light next to the doorknob was lit green, and that told me no one had tried to enter the apartment without a key. At least I hoped that's what it meant, I had been focusing on Ranger's lips at the time I had gotten the instructions.

I listened at the door for a moment and when I didn't hear anything, I entered, schlepping my purchases with me.

The apartment was empty.

I put the ice cream in the freezer and the beer in the fridge. Then I opened a bottle and took it with me to the living room, where I plopped down onto the couch and flipped the TV on. I caught an airing of "The Breakfast Club" right at the beginning and settled back.

This wasn't so bad. With any luck, I'd be drunk and passed out by 9 and get a good night's sleep.

I was on the second beer when my cell phone rang.

"Tank here" he said when I answered it.

"Is everything OK?" Shit! I had missed the check-in call! First the unlocked door and now this!

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry I forgot to call." I apologized.

"No sweat." He said and disconnected. I was sure Ranger was going to hear about it.

The phone rang again an hour and two beers later.

"Sweet Thing!" Joe said by way of greeting when I answered.

"Hi Joe." I said as I sat up straight. I was hoping this was going to be good!

"I just finished my paperwork, and after I've had a shower, I'll be all yours for the evening!"

Oh, better than good! I smiled.

"What did you have in mind?" I asked suggestively. It was the beer talking.

"Where are you staying? Are you still at RangeMan?" He wanted to know. So Ranger hadn't shared the plan with him.

"No, I'm on my own again." And I gave him the address.

"How about I come over with a pizza and some beers?" He asked.

That sounded wonderful, but I was supposed to be up and about, waving myself around like a red flag.

"I was hoping you could show me some of Trenton's nightlife?" I suggested.

He laughed at that.

"Not much to see there. But I know a nice bar with live music, if you're interested."

I was very interested. I preferred a nice bar to a loud club by miles.

"Sounds good."

"Great, I'll pick you up at 8! Later!" and he hung up.

Sweet! I had a good beer buzz going and a date with Joe Morelli.

Unfortunately, I realized, I had nothing to wear but RangeMan black. That was a problem.

I was known to drive under the influence every now and then, even though I knew it was wrong, but I wasn't going to risk it in a strange city. Driving to the mall was out of the question.

In addition, it would have meant spending Ranger's money, and that didn't feel right.

I got up and went into the bedroom, realizing I could give the clothes I had a closer look.

Sure enough, among the three pairs of pants, there was a pair of black jeans. Not ideal, but a little more feminine than cargo pants. I decided to wear a black camisole with a RangeMan sweatshirt tied around my neck as a top.

That could work.

The boots were a little clunky, but if I wouldn't have to dance in them, they would do.

I checked the time on the clock radio at bedside; I had more than two hours to get ready.

I remembered my next check-in call and called Tank. I wondered if I should tell him about my plans for the evening, but he didn't ask, so I didn't volunteer.

At five minutes to eight, I was ready. My hair was flowing in nice curls around my face, it had turned out great for a change. I was still dressed all in black, but it felt like a definite improvement over the bounty hunter work clothes.

The doorbell rang and my heart caught in my throat. Holy Ted, I was nervous!

I had the panic button snapped to my panties, the cell phone clipped onto the waistband of my jeans, the wallet along with my lipstick in my back pocket, and I grabbed the keys on my way out, taking time to remember to lock the door.

I took the stairs down and opened the door.

Joe had his finger on the buzzer, he probably hadn't expected me to greet him downstairs.

He was dressed in blue jeans and a green long-sleeve t-shirt that clung to his muscular torso.

"Hi." I said, always the conversationalist.

He hugged me hello and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

His arm stayed around my shoulder as he led me to his car on the corner.

This did feel like a real date!

The bar we went to turned out to be a lot of fun. A band started shortly after we arrived and they were entertaining us with mainstream cover songs. By their third song, the bar was packed with wall-to-wall people.

I had eaten a burger with fries for dinner and was nursing my second beer when Joe leaned closer.

"What do you say we get out of here?" He asked.

I smiled but didn't know how to react. I knew that suggestion, his voice was unmistakable.

It's what I wanted, right?

Joe was playing with my hair and his knuckles brushed against my face, it felt nice.

What the hell, I thought, do what feels right.

"Your place or mine?" I asked him.

"Let's decide on the way." He whispered into my ear and we got up.

Suddenly, there was a gunshot and someone screamed "You sonovabitch!"

There was more yelling, another gunshot, and then everybody tried to get out the door at the same time.

I saw Joe go for his gun as he tried to grab my hand, but I was shoved aside by a big woman, and when I looked around, I couldn't see him.

I called out his name, but I couldn't even hear myself over the ruckus.

The mass pushed me with them towards the exit. Now I was frantically trying to find Joe.

I caught an elbow to the face just as I saw the front door, and I went down.

Stars were dancing in front of my eyes and I was pushed and shoved from all directions.

I had been in mobs before, but I still had a hard time keeping my panic under control.

Somehow, I managed to get through the front door, and I staggered a few feet away from it to lean against a chain link fence for support. The little patio was packed with people, but at least there was air now.

Sirens were wailing in the distance, getting closer.

I searched the crowd for Joe, cursing my short stature.

People were shouting and crying around me, and I was very close to joining them.

I yelped when an arm settled around my shoulder and instinctively turned away, until I realized it was Joe.

"Thank God!" He said, hugging me.

He dragged me with him through the crowd, until we were clear of them.

"Are you okay?" He asked, studying my face.

I was still breathing rapidly, but I was unhurt, except for a pounding headache.

"I'm fine." I assured him, and then I looked at him. He had a bleeding gash on his cheek.

"Oh my god!" I breathed, "How did this happen?"

Joe shrugged. "No idea."

Squad cars had arrived and the crowd was dispersing more quickly.

"Lindsay, I'm sorry, I have to stay." He shook his head in despair "I don't know if anyone is hurt or dead in there, and since I was the first officer on the scene, I get to stay until it's all settled."

He put his hands on my shoulders and kissed me lightly on the lips.

"I'm sending you home with a cruiser, but I will make it up to you."

That was it, I was destined to never have sex again. I was sure of it.

"Will I get to play with the siren?" I asked, trying to lighten both our moods.

He smiled and pulled me close.

"When I am done here, you can play with whatever you want all night, Cupcake."

Waaaaaah! He said Cupcake! I smiled against his chest and did a silly dance in my head.

He pulled away an inch and lifted my head with his finger under my chin.

And then he kissed me like he meant it and I couldn't wait for playtime to begin.

Joe approached a uniform and talked to him.

More police cars were arriving and a fire truck trundled in behind an ambulance.

Joe took my arm and opened the back door to a cruiser for me.

"This is officer Lansdowne." He said. "He'll take you home. I'll call you as soon as I'm done."

And with a peck on the lips, he was gone.

Lansdowne looked like he had finished police academy a month before, 19 maybe. He tipped his hat and smiled at me.

I got into the car and closed my eyes.

A great evening that had turned out to be.

When I had called Tank from the bar, I had told him everything was 5 by 5. What would I tell him on my next check-in? That I finally knew what it was like to be riding in the back of a police car? He probably wouldn't appreciate the humor.

I didn't get to turn on the siren, but Officer Lansdowne had left the flashing lights on and I felt special. Grateful that our final destination wasn't my parents' house, I could fully enjoy my very first police escort.

My happiness was short-lived.

When we pulled to a stop in front of the apartment building, the headlights caught a man leaning against his car in front of us. He was dressed in black, arms crossed over his chest.

It was Ranger. And he didn't look happy.

I thanked Lansdowne and got out of the car, declining his offer to see me inside.

I approached Ranger and noticed the frown line between his eyes. He didn't move.

His eyes settled on mine.

"Want to tell me about this?" He asked, his expression unreadable.

I sighed and dug in my pockets for my keys, to give my fidgeting hands something to do.

What did he want to know? That my potential shot at great sex had to work overtime? That the other object of my affection had done a 180 on me and was now treating me like a stranger?

That I missed my friends and my cat and that I was this close to coming clean and getting the hell out of Dodge?

Yes, I wanted to tell him about all of that. I just didn't know how.

"I got to ride in a police cruiser." I said, but there was no smile for me from Ranger.

His eyes were still fixed on me and I hadn't seen them blink.

"Look, I'm tired. Can we talk about this in the morning?" I wasn't that tired. I just couldn't deal with another confrontation right then, so I turned my back to Ranger towards the front steps.